Board keeps membership in Virginia School Boards Association; individual trustees may join new group
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Summary
After public comment urging the board to remain in the Virginia School Boards Association, trustees voted to continue system membership; individual board members may choose to join the newly formed School Board Members Alliance of Virginia on their own.
The Amherst County School Board decided to maintain its district membership in the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA). Staff said members raised questions about a newer organization, the School Board Members Alliance of Virginia (SBMA), which some public commenters described as conservative and focused on different priorities.
During public comment Gloria Witt urged the board to remain with VSBA, calling it a long‑standing, nonpartisan organization that provides policy templates, training and relationships with state leaders. Another commenter, Sam Soger, also urged the board to stay with VSBA and raised other district issues such as textbooks and local procurement.
At the board’s subsequent discussion trustees confirmed the district would remain a full VSBA member. The board also agreed that individual trustees who wish to join SBMA may do so at their personal expense; the board decided not to continue a previously discussed $500 attorney fee in connection with VSBA membership.
Ending: The district will retain VSBA membership; staff will process any individual SBMA memberships requested by trustees.